Buying guide · acoustic piano
From the first family piano and the silent piano for a flat to a grand in the living room. What you get for the money, and what to feel for.
ZOZIZA has not tested every model. Specifications are the retailer’s or manufacturer’s.
Two pianos of the same model can feel different. Feel the keys: even, not too light — and can you play very softly?
An upright weighs 200–260 kg, a grand more. In a flat, consider a silent piano.
Expect tuning once or twice a year and a stable room climate, away from radiators.
All models are sold by Thomann, which ships internationally. The link opens Thomann’s shop for your country.
A real piano with strings and hammers. It needs space and tuning once or twice a year — and gives a sound and touch no digital piano quite reaches.
Specifications according to the retailer. Delivered by freight.
Suits: For beginners and families who want a real piano from a well-known brand on a budget.
Specifications according to the retailer. Delivered by freight.
Suits: The lowest price for a new acoustic Kawai. A solid first piano.
Specifications according to the retailer. Delivered by freight.
Suits: A step up: Kawai’s Millennium III action gives a more precise, stable touch.
Specifications according to the retailer. Delivered by freight.
Suits: For the serious student and adult pianist who want a large upright with a full bass.
Acoustic pianos that can also be played silently with headphones. The answer if you live in a flat but want the real instrument. See all 22 silent models from Kawai, Yamaha, Seiler and C. Bechstein →
Specifications according to the retailer. Delivered by freight.
Suits: For flat dwellers: a real piano by day, silent with headphones in the evening.
Specifications according to the retailer. Delivered by freight.
Suits: For advanced players who want a larger case, a better action and silent function.
Specifications according to the retailer. Delivered by freight.
Suits: Yamaha’s classic U1 — the standard upright in many music schools — with silent system and recorder.
For those with space who want the full sound and a grand action that repeats faster.
Specifications according to the retailer. Delivered by freight.
Suits: A compact grand for the living room. A realistic first grand.
Specifications according to the retailer. Delivered by freight.
Suits: Same target as the GB1 K — compare the tone and the keys, they feel different.
Specifications according to the retailer. Delivered by freight.
Suits: A larger grand with duplex scale — more resonance and overtones.
Specifications according to the retailer. Delivered by freight.
Suits: A renovated Hamburg concert grand — for a hall, church or music school, not the living room.
Stage pianos are not pianos — they are built for the stage. See Stage pianos.
An acoustic piano gives the real sound and touch but needs space, tuning and consideration for neighbours. A digital piano can be played with headphones and needs no care. A silent piano gives you both. See also the digital piano guide.
A normal acoustic piano with a mechanism that stops the hammers just before the strings and sends the sound to headphones instead. Play acoustically by day, silently at night.
